Day to day goings on here at the farm. Everything from weather to horses and donkeys to chickens to cats and dogs and everything in between. Some blogs will be informative. While others will be I hope, just entertaining and keep you coming back. And of course there will be pictures.

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Thursday, September 29, 2011

What a shock that I am posting sooner than my usual two week intervals! Surprise! Ha Ha

Some of the veggies from the garden. Couldn't help but take a pic because it is so colorful.

This is the end of the garage. As you can see the shiny side is newly painted whereas the other side is the old paint ( which I found out this place has not been painted since it was built in the late 50's). Yes, I chose pretty much the same color only because this color just really fits the house and the scenery.

This is the end of the house before.

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Final result ( end of garage).

End result at end of house.

If you look towards the upper left hand side of the brick pillar you can see something poking out. It is a squirrel!

The squirrel climbing to the top.

Squirrel on top.

Not sure how many of you believe in ghosts/spirits but I have a story to share.

While hubby ( I know, I rarely mention him) was finishing the painting on the ceiling in the breezeway a big drop of paint fell onto the cardboard protecting the cement, but some of it hit the cement. His first thought was to clean it up asap, but he realized there was no rag close by. The next thing he knows, is a rag was thrown from the garage area, hits his arm and falls to the ground. He said "Thanks Honey" and cleaned up the paint. Then he realized I was in the house with the baby and there wasn't anyone out there but himself! He didn't tell me what happened to him right away because he is close minded, and didn't want to admit something supernatural helped him. As he told me what happened all I could do was grin ear to ear. I then asked him if he believes in the other side now, and he said yes he does. He also doesn't think I am a crackpot now when I tell him I 'see' people who have passed on. A big step for a very close minded individual!

Hmmmm, I don't think I have mentioned to you that I can 'see' people who have passed on. I know, I know, some of you think I have an active imagination, but ever since I was little I have been able to 'see'. I can also 'see' or 'feel' when something is going to happen to someone who I am close to. It is usually a word or two associated with a certain person or sometimes it is a visual. I always contact the person I get a feeling about. If any of you are interested I'll share some of my experiences on my blog. And I would love to hear your experiences!

I really should be out scrubbing the inside of the chicken coop, but I really wanted to blog right now.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

What a crazy last couple of weeks! We made arrangements with the landlady to paint the house for a reduction in rent. She supplied all materials and we supplied the labor. It was a win win situation. But wow, I had forgotten how much work is involved in painting a house! It was all worth it. Took two weeks to do it, but the house sure does look good again. And this may sound silly but the house appreciates all the care it is getting. Poor thing hasn't been painted since it was built in the mid 50's!

My horse hasn't been urinating right for about a month. So I had the vet out to see what the heck is going on. My first thought that he had a bean ( a wax ball in his sheath), nope that wasn't it. Then I thought maybe it was stones in his bladder. Nope, that wasn't it. Had an ultrasound done and still couldn't find out what was going on. So a blood panel was done. Well, turns out he is anemic! He isn't drinking enough water. So I have been making sure he is drinking. If the water doesn't do the trick, well, then it is something way more serious such as cancer. Time will tell.

My youngest and myself went to the Jacksonville Historic cemetery. One of our favorite places to go. I really liked this grave site. It really fits in well with the history of the town of Jacksonville, which was a gold rush town back in the mid 1800's.

You might have to double click on this picture. I was amazed that new growth has sprung out of an old burnt out dead stump. This tree is in the middle of a very old grave site.

Grace is starting to take her first wobbly steps. Eeeeeek!!!! I bought two doggie gates to keep her blocked in the dining and living room areas. And now that she is growing taller, she can reach more stuff! My gosh I had forgotten what little ones can get into and how much stuff has to be put up higher.

My youngest daughter and I here at the house. I had taken her to the one and only authentic German restaurant around for her 21st birthday. Well, her birthday isn't until the end of October, but with my schedule and hers this was the only day we could go to lunch. Have to say, the food was delicious!

So far the foxes have not had any more chicken lunches or dinners. I have been keeping the chickens locked up in their coop area and only letting them out every now and then. My thinking is if they aren't let out everyday, it may confuse those darned foxes that there isn't a chicken meal to be had everyday!

The Guineas are so big now. And I think I have made a mistake in getting them. I got them to be watch birds, but it sure as heck isn't working out that way. Those Guineas sound the alarm at everything! And I do mean everything! Oh no, a leaf is falling, sound the alarm. Oh no, a cat just ran by, sound the alarm. And they are picking on certain chickens! Um, no, not acceptable. Although I do admit they make me laugh with their antics.

The resident bear is getting pretty close to the house now thanks to all the blackberry bushes close by.

In a few weeks marijuana plants will be harvested which means there are going to be a lot of busts going on. The Mexican cartel lurk in the mountains and protect their crops. A few years ago there was a fire fight between them and the law. Hmmmm, wonder how bad it will be this year!

My notebook computer has been down for awhile and was having to use the old bulky desk top. And talk about slow! But hooray, my notebook is up and running like a champ now.

Well, I have more to say but don't want to bore you. Time to get outside and get some chores done. Me thinks it is time to pick more blackberries for more syrup!

Tomorrow it is suppose to rain so am going to catch up with all of you then.

Monday, September 5, 2011

It's on like Donkey Kong now!!! The beginning of last week was not a good one for my chickens. I lost five roosters during the day to the foxes that live up on the hill behind the house. They got Stew Pot my old rooster plus four young roosters I was going to rehome. Ever since then I have kept the remaining chickens and keets locked up for their own safety until I build a fence around their coop. Jeff Lewis, my remaining big rooster was attacked but luckily got away. He hasn't uttered a sound since then.

I have been talking to the neighbors who have chickens and they all have said the same thing. They feed the foxes to keep them away from their chickens. I was feeding Fabio fox ( who resides on the hill behind the pasture) but haven't done it in awhile. So, I am going to start leaving food out for the foxes in hopes that if they have full bellies they will leave my chickens alone. Oh, I did have my brother pee around behind the irrigation ditch where there is a fox trail. And thanks to John over at Going Gently I am going to get some men's hair from a local barbershop and sprinkle that around too.

On a lighter note, here is Grace growing up! She is actually starting to grow hair now! She has begun to stand without help and that girl can move quick doing her crab like walk. The stains on her dress are from blackberries.

Speaking of food, if you want to make a delicious tomato sauce for your Italian dishes, grow some Cherokee Purple tomatoes, then cook them down in a big pot with just a dash of salt. No other seasoning necessary! Oh, and German Striped tomatoes are scrumptious! Slice them up and serve. Yummy!!!!

Caught the cats being entertained by watching a chicken on the railing. This was before the all you can eat fox meal!

RIP Stewpot!

Of course I have to add something about animals. Did you know that fabric softeners, bar soaps, lip gloss, crayons, dog and cat food and many other products have, are you ready for this.........tallow ( also called paste) from ground up dogs, cats, rats, squirrels, etc.??? Not all of the above mentioned products have dog/cat tallow in them, but quite a few due! Please check to see what ingredients are used in the products you use. Downy and Dove bar soap are just two of the products with 'paste'/ tallow in them. Rather than posting the link to the You Tube video, if you want to view it just go to You Tube and type in What Happens to Unwanted Dogs and Cats. It was a real eye opener for me!

Mother Nature is showing her ugly high temp side this week. Very much looking forward to Fall.

About Me

My passion is helping animals. Will fight tooth and nail for what I believe in. Independant. Believe in The Golden Rule and what goes around comes around. Treasure my family, friends and all the animals that I have had the good fortune to have had and now have in my life.